Head Gasket Re-Torque?

[Ronbo]

I know Addo scoffed at this when I mentioned it before. The head gaskets these days are "supposed" to not need re-torquing. So why would one fail? I have roughly 5000 miles on this rebuild and the head seeps more and more every day. Started out fine then one day, started seeping a little in the middle, now its worked its way out from front to rear.


Ron

 

[Patrick66]

don't re-torque. it could, and probably will, cause you to leak more. its even printed on the gasket "no re-torque". see if your head needs resurfaced, or maybe your block.

 

[rbohm]

8) it really depends on the gasket you are using. if using a composite gasket like the one felpro sells, then likely they need no retorquing. if using a factory style steel shim gasket, they not only need retorquing, but they need a sealant also. i also agree though with making sure the gasket surfaces are true.

 

[fordconvert]

All the engines I have worked on the last several years have gone together with the Fel Pros and I have never re torqued any of them and as far as I know they are all still running fine.

 

[MustangSix]

Ronbo,

One of the issues with these old engines are the bolts themselves. If the engine has been reassembled more than a couple of times the bolts may have lost their ability to hold torque. Sometimes new bolts will help.

Another thing is that over time the left side of the block seems to "sag". The last couple I had at the machine shop needed nearly .010" taken off the deck just to get them flat again.

Finally, just for insurance, whenever I put one of these back together any more I add a thin smear of RTV on the outer edge of the block.

 

[powerband]

Composite gasket should not require re-torquing but if it's getting worse, maybe re-torque to verify consistency. MAybe some bolts were dry when first assembled...

Also I would verify coolant temp is consistent. Over-temp cyl. heads like to warp ...

PB

 

[fordconvert]

Another thing to add to what Jack was saying is on some motors that have had work done the head bolts bottom out before they get enough pressure on the gasket. I have had it happen when the holes were just full of crap. Thats why you see mention of guys looking for hardened washers to go under the head bolts. Used bolts would only be worse.

 

[page62]

I discussed this problem with the owner of a local machine shop the other day. It's a common problem that can only be solved by milling both the head and the block during a rebuild. Even then, it's no guarantee that there won't be seepage. The coolant and oil passages are on edge of the block, outboard of the bolts. He also suggested using some RTV around the holes during reassembly, but I'm not excited about that idea.

Or to be more to the point, he said:"They all do that. Just learn to live with it."

But. I've found a tube of Alumaseal will work wonders!

 

[Ronbo]

Thanks for the replies fellas. There is no telling how old these head bolts are. I noticed they are all shouldered where normally only one(or two?) are for oil flow. As far as milling, nope! Didn't go that far. I've always played with GM V8s so it really wasn't a concern. The old block and head weeped a bit but that thing had a Gazillion miles on it. The pistons moved freely in all directions in the bore. I chased the holes out and put a light lube on the bolts before installing.

When I re-torqued (before reading this post again) I got anywhere from a 1/4 to 1/2 turn out of the bolts so either they are backing out or they are about to snap. What to do, what to do! I guess wait until fall and pull the head, new gasket and new bolts. I could always go for the direct mount at that point and get rid of that cheesy adapter

Ron

 

[MustangSix]

Head studs.

 

[351 celi]

So did the retorque have a positive or negative impact? I have a stock gasket that as far as I know has not been touched, but has seepage at the driver side rear and was concidering checking the torque spec.

 

[ludwig]

Both my replacement head gaskets had weeping from the driver's side. I'm going to do the hardened washer thing this time.

 

[Ronbo]

Let me go look.....

 

[Ronbo]

Nope. After about 100 miles, same thing. So.....this fall the head comes off again. Trying to keep one of these motors pretty is insane! LOL

 

[LaGrasta]

After my head was rebuilt this past year, I am encountering the same thing. This is another reason I don't run synthetic. I've learned to live with it as much as I hate it. Every so often I wipe it down or even spray Simple Green and hose it down. UGH!